2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
3 He went throughout [the] whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:“A voice of one crying out in the desert:‘Prepare the way of the Lord,make straight his paths.
5 Every valley shall be filledand every mountain and hill shall be made low.The winding roads shall be made straight,and the rough ways made smooth,
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
7 He said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance; and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.